Greatest single season turnarounds....

by Damen Jackson on Feb 22, 2007 10:37 AM CST

I'm trying to find information on the largest MLB single season turnarounds for a project I'm working on. Any source or media outlet is fine, as I have no issues with paid content. If not, would someone be aware of a couple of instance besides the 1991 Braves where a team has gone from worst to first in baseball?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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The 1991 Twins

by GuntherNancy on Feb 22, 2007 11:03 AM CST 0 recs

Great example..

Much appreciated.

by Damen Jackson on Feb 22, 2007 11:04 AM CST up 0 recs

Turnarouds

As impressive as the last to first improvement the Twins had in 1991 was, it pales beside the mind boggling improvement the 1999 Arizona Diamondbacks had over the 1998 season.

The Twins improved 21 games in 1991 vs 1990 (74 to 95 wins).

The 1999 D-Backs improved 35 (!) games in 1999 vs 1998 (65 wins to 100 wins).

I'm pretty sure that is a record, and one the figures to stand for some time...unless the Cubs win 100 games this year.

by jazzman56 on Feb 22, 2007 1:01 PM CST up 0 recs

Ding ding ding..

That's exactly the hidden treasure that I was looking for. Thanks.

by Damen Jackson on Feb 22, 2007 1:31 PM CST up 0 recs

Some Cub teams...

75-79; 1945: 98-56. Gain: 23 games
59-103; 1967: 87-74. Gain: 28.5 games
68-94; 1998: 90-73. Gain: 21.5 games
65-97; 2003: 88-74. Gain: 23 games

Also, although this wasn't a championship surge, the Tigers gained 29 games from 2003 (43-119) to 2004 (72-90). Then they gained 24 games from 2005 (71-91) to 2006 (95-67).

Hope this helps.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al on Feb 22, 2007 11:12 AM CST 0 recs

Yes..

Actually it does. I think I may to fine tune my argument a bit though.

And as an aside, what the hell is it with the Cubs and these season over season swings?

by Damen Jackson on Feb 22, 2007 11:17 AM CST up 0 recs

Wish I knew.

Let's hope they've got another one in them this year.

In order to be in contention, they will have to have at least a 20-game turnaround. I don't have a complete list, but there are quite a few teams that have done that in baseball history.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al on Feb 22, 2007 11:20 AM CST up 0 recs

I think a 20 game..

improvement is there. It will be interesting to see if that's enough to win this division.

by Damen Jackson on Feb 22, 2007 11:31 AM CST up 0 recs

Seattle

From 2000 to 2001 they added 25 games. Not bad considering in 2000 they won 91.

Los Cachorros!

by Laven on Feb 22, 2007 1:49 PM CST 0 recs

1914 "Miracle" Braves

went from 69-82 in 1913 to 94-59 in 1914.

Even more impressive, on June 4, 1914, they were 11-26. On the fourth of July, they were 26-40. They went 68-19 after the fourth to win the NL pennant by 10.5 games.

by Josh77 on Feb 22, 2007 2:29 PM CST 0 recs

Others

The 2004 Tigers improved by 29 games. Of course, they only won 43 games in 2003, so they only won 72 that year.

The 1989 Orioles were in a similar situation, improving by 29 games to go 87-75 after going 54-107 in 1988. The 1980 Athletics had that same 29 game improvement to 83-79 after 54-108 the year before.

In a painful memory for all of us, the 1969 Mets improved 27 games, going from 73-89 in 1968 to 100-62.

The 1961 Reds actually won the pennant at 93-61, a 26 game improvement over 1960.

The 1946 Red Sox improved by 33 games, going from 71-83 to 104-50. Getting Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr and Dom DiMaggio back from WWII will do stuff like that.

Brooklyn went from 54-91 in 1898 to 101-47 in 1899: and incredible 47 game improvement. But the league was so corrupt in 1899 it isn't really worth considering it here. On the other end, the 1898 Cleveland Spiders won 81 games and the 1899 Spiders won 20. The 1899 Spiders were essentially St. Louis' AAA franchise who just happened to be playing in the National League, which is why Brooklyn's improvement doesn't count.

There are dozens of examples of teams improving 20-25 games in one season to win the pennant or even wild card.

by Josh77 on Feb 22, 2007 3:01 PM CST 0 recs

izturis?

why all the negativity about izturis?man let's give the guy a break here.he is healthy this year and still very young.remember all the great teams are strong up the middle!even hendry knows that.lol.i think he can hit .275 this year i really do.plus he can flat out field.he will be very important to the club in the #2 slot so hopefully he can stay injury free.

by cubz409 on Feb 22, 2007 10:35 PM CST 0 recs